Modular connector and adapter assembly using a removable anchor device

• US 10,185,100 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2018
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2017
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SENKO Advanced Components, Inc. (SENKO Group Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: SENKO Advanced Components, Inc. (SENKO Group Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Takano, Kazuyoshi, Gniadek, Jeffrey, Wong, Kimman, Ma, Siu Kei
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US15/881,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20180217338A1
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 439 79
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3879 Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3885 Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3888 Protection from over-extension or over-compression
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/403 of the ferrule type, connecting a pair of ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a device and system of devices including: a connector comprising a housing comprising a groove lengthwise in a surface of the housing and a push-pull tab comprising a protrusion, a widthwise recess on the connector housing accepting protrusions on a removable anchor device that retains the connector in a port, wherein the push-pull tab releases the connector from the port using protrusions on the anchor device and the receiver device comprising one or more ports for receiving one or more connector types; and the receiver device comprising one or more ports without an anchor; said port secures a second connector type comprising a latch release mechanism; and the receiver device ports are opposite one another; wherein the opposite ports can accept a first connector and a second connector; wherein the first connector release mechanism and differs from the second connector release mechanism.

Claims

1. An anchor device for releasably securing a connector in a port of a receptacle, the anchor device comprising:

a first portion including an outwardly projecting hook engagement member having a receptacle engagement surface positioned to engage the receptacle for securing the anchor device within the port of the receptacle;

a second portion formed integrally with the first portion and having at least one outer hook tip and at least one interior hook tip for locking and releasing a connector from the port, the interior hook tip having a different shape than the outer hook tip;

the interior hook tip and outer hook tip are interconnected so that the interior hook tip and outer hook tip are movable conjointly with each other relative to the first portion;

wherein a movement imparted to the interior hook tip by contact of the connector with the interior hook tip, upon partial insertion of said connector within the port, moves the interior hook tip and interconnected outer hook tip from a first position to a second position; and

upon full insertion of connector into the port, the movement on the interior hook tip is removed and the middle and outer hook tips resiliently return to said first position.

2. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle engagement member projects in a first direction and the outer hook tip and interior hook tip project a second direction opposite to the first direction.

3. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the anchor includes protrusions and cutouts shaped and arranged to engage with corresponding port surfaces of the receptacle for aligning a connector therein.

4. The anchor device of claim 1, further comprising a curved hook radius portion that connects the first portion to the second portion so that the second portion is in opposing, spaced apart relationship with the first portion.

5. The anchor device of claim 4 wherein the first portion and second portion are constructed and arranged relative to each other so that movement of the outer hook tip and the interior hook tip from the first position to the second position bends the curved hook radius portion.

6. The anchor device of claim 1 wherein the at least one outer hook tip comprises a pair of outer hook tips located on opposite sides of the interior hook tip from each other.

7. The anchor device of claim 6 wherein the pair of outer hook tips are movable conjointly with the interior hook tip.

8. The anchor device of claim 1 wherein the first portion and second portion are formed from one piece of material.

9. The anchor device of claim 1 wherein the interior hook tip is located closer to the first portion than the outer hook tip.

10. The anchor device of claim 1 in combination with the receptacle.